Dean said in the past Zygmont expressed a desire to go out west and live a more simple life. As a result, police have sent his photo and description to law enforcement agencies nationwide.

"We just want to know he's OK," Zygmont's mother, Lynne Zygmont Clay, said in a statement released by the university on Friday. "Jon is an avid and experienced outdoorsman and we're hopeful that he is hiking or camping and just not aware that we're looking for him."

"We love him," Clay continued, "and want him to know that we are not upset if he wishes to take some time off to travel and hike, but we would like to hear from him so that we aren't worried."

Previously, police said Zygmont was "despondent" when last seen and experiencing relationship issues, statements Zygmont's sister disputed in a public Facebook post that has been circulating locally.

Zygmont is described as a white male, 5 feet, 11 inches tall weighing about 150 pounds. He was last seen wearing black shoes, khaki pants and a brown sweatshirt with the word "Burton" on it in red lettering. He was carrying a black North Face backpack.

Police have asked anyone with information about Zygmont's whereabouts to contact them at 862-1427.

Local, state and federal law enforcement have been assisting in the search for him.